Rev. Robert Ryland Shaw, II

Senior Pastor & CEO

Rev. Ann Champion Shaw

Executive Pastor

On a lifelong journey of ministry since the tender age of 16, Rev. Robert Shaw is an ordained Itinerant Elder in the dynamic favored 5th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

A native of Kansas City, MO, he is the oldest son of Mrs. Willa A. Shaw and the late Mr. Robert Shaw. As a persistent seeker of knowledge, Rev. Shaw fortified his ministry with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, and an M.Div., with a focus on Homiletics, from the prestigious Turner Theological Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), Atlanta, GA. Significantly, he was the proud recipient of the venerated Isaac Clark Preaching Award during his time at the ITC. Currently, he is pursuing his Doctorate of Ministry at United Theological Seminary.

Having national & international opportunities to preach and serve in civic, community, & church roles, Pastor Rob formerly guided the faithful at Reedy Chapel, Springfield, MO, and Brooks Chapel, Butler, MO. Worked as Youth Minister at St. John AME, Kansas City, MO, and Special Assistant Minister at St. Philip AME Church, Atlanta, GA. Led congregations toward spiritual growth at Allen Chapel AME Church, Kansas City, MO, St. John AME Church, St. Louis, MO, and Bethel AME Church, Kansas City, MO.

He was appointed the pastor of Bethel AME Church, San Francisco, CA, in Oct 2017 under the esteemed Presiding Prelate, Bishop Clement W. Fugh. Bethel, affectionately known as “The House,” the oldest black church in San Francisco, is guided by faith and dedicated to service. For example, during the treacherous time of COVID-19, Bethel church, under Pastor Rob’s leadership, contributed over 250K to (50) black-owned businesses in the Filmore community of San Francisco. In addition, benevolence was given throughout the 5th District to support sister churches.

As pastor of Bethel, he is honored to chair the board of directors for several affordable housing developments: Fellowship Manor, Thomas Paine, Willie B. Kennedy, Rosa Parks & Laurel Gardens. Harmoniously joining hands to uplift, support, and transform communities, Pastor Rob, the congregation, and the Business Development Ministry led by Bro. Bobby Sisk has added the following to the church’s portfolio: The Anvil Arms, a 21-unit market-rate housing development, and the Anvil House, a newly designed and developed ministry collaboration between Bethel & Resurrection AME dedicated to helping men “Build Back Better” for seamless societal re-entry.
Beloved husband to the incomparable Rev. Ann Champion Shaw, his partner in life and ministry, serves as the full-time Executive Pastor of Bethel AMECSF. They are proud to be the blessed parents to the radiant Miss Raven Noel Lovelace Shaw, a freshman at Howard University, and the courageous Master Robert Ryland Shaw III, a smooth sophomore at Saint Ignatius College Preparatory School. Together, they serve, love, and create a lasting legacy.

A General Board member of the AME Church, serving as secretary of the DRS Commission. Pastor Rob is also a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

On October 29, 2023, Pastor Rob was appointed as the new pastor of the historic First AME Church of Los Angeles, a privilege and opportunity he is deeply honored and grateful to serve.

Standing on the Anvil – To Serve This Present Age Lessons from his journey, experiences of his ministry, and the wisdom he’s gained – Pastor Rob now graciously shares with the world., WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, WHO GIVES US STRENGTH! (Phil 4:13)

Rev. Ann Champion Shaw, a native of Orlando, Florida, is a fifth-generation preacher and the youngest daughter of the late Mrs. Annie C. Champion and the late Rev. Dr. George L. Champion, Sr. She received her B.A. in English from Clark Atlanta University and her M.Div. with Honors from Emory University, Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, GA. While residing in Atlanta, Rev. Ann’s ministerial experiences included: Director of Christian Education at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church, Mentor for the Youth Theological Initiative (YTI) at Emory, Candler School of Theology, and Board Member/Facilitator for the Youth Hope Builders Academy at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC).

Employed in Missouri with fifteen years of healthcare chaplaincy, Rev. Ann completed a two-year chaplain residency with the ACPE Midwest Clinical Pastoral Education Program in Kansas City, MO and has worked in both the Hospice and Hospital clinical settings in St. Louis and Kansas City, MO. She is a Board-Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where she is the past Central Regional Chaplain and has served on the Farwest Regional Chaplain Council.
Rev. Ann is happily married to the love of her life, Rev. Robert Ryland Shaw, II. Together, they have served Allen Chapel AME Church, Kansas City, MO, St. John AME Church, St. Louis, MO, Bethel AME Church, Kansas City, MO, and Bethel AME Church “The House” San Francisco where she served as the Executive Pastor. While in San Francisco, Rev. Ann was quite busy as she also served on the Board of Directors for The Fillmore Collaborative and as a Human Rights Commissioner with the office of Vice Chair for the City and County of San Francisco. Rev. Ann consider these roles an honor and a privilege as she was also the Co-President of the African American Latin Parent Association (AALPA) at St. Ignatius College Preparatory. One of she and her husband’s greatest joys is parenting their two children, Raven Noel Lovelace and Robert Ryland III.

Rev. Ann is thankful to God for allowing her to teach and preach both nationally and internationally including Sheffield, England and Lusaka, Zambia. Her published writing contributions include: The Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling, The First Lady: African American Pastors’ Wives in Their Own Voices and most recently, her Memoir WORTH: A Story of Favor and Forgiveness which was #1 on Amazon’s New Release and has received rave reviews. Currently, she is pursuing her Doctorate of Ministry at Saint Paul School of Theology, Leawood, KS. Above all, she LOVES GOD and holds the scriptural embrace, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth” Psalm 121:1. Rev. Ann is EXCITED for she and her family’s NEW journey at the FAVORED, PHENOMENAL FAME, LOS ANGELES!